by J A Scooter
“Lie still, Peter, lie still.” Jennifer took both his hands in hers. “Please lie still for me. You’ve been injured but you will recover.”
“You behave, Mr. O’Brien.” The nurse’s smile softened her comment as she arrived with the doctor. After examining Peter, the doctor signed the release papers from Intensive Care.
The nurse busied herself removing all the drips and monitors in spite of Peter’s complaints.
“You’ve caused enough trouble as it is. Lie still or I’ll call the doctor back.
“We need this bed for a sick person, so off you go. Now you’re conscious I’m to take you to Ward C. This lady has woven her magic and you won’t be there long either.”
The nurse and an orderly pushed his bed down the long corridor into Ward C.
“Here’s Mr. Trouble himself,” called the nurse to the Ward Sister as she locked his bed into place. “If he’s not in here with gunshot wounds after an attempted hijack, he’s in here after trying to rescue a young woman from a burning car. I was thinking he had an inbuilt death wish, but now I see him with his young lady I’ve had to change my mind.”
“Take care of yourself and listen to Jennifer. She’s boss.” Laughing, she returned to the Intensive Care Unit.
The stern face of the Ward Sister cracked into a smile. Grinning, she asked, “What would you like to eat?”
In reply, Peter slowly brought Jennifer’s hands to his lips. Staring into Jennifer’s eyes, he stated clearly, “Her!”
The Sister giggled and Jennifer, no more the embarrassed, insecure woman, looked pleased.
“Good heavens, you’ve been in a coma for over a week and the first thing you want to do when you come around is attack this young lady. Behave yourself and I’ll ask the doctor if Miss Blake’s on the menu. Now if you promise to behave, I’ll let you shave. You look like a pirate with that growth.”
With no warning, she ripped the plaster from Peter’s cheek. Ignoring his agonized bellow, she examined the wound.
“That’s healing well. You’re lucky that’s the only reminder you’ll have of your adventure once your ribs are healed.”
As she left, the Sister called back to him.
“I’ll send in the policeman. He’s been waiting to interview you for some time.”
Jennifer sat at the end of Peter’s bed listening carefully as the story of no sleep, pep pills and Peter’s version of the accident unfolded.
“No-one could understand why you threw yourself into that fire.” The heavily built officer was still not satisfied.
Peter beckoned Jennifer until she stood close enough for him to reach. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he explained.
“I thought the green Mini was Jennifer’s and that she was the driver.”
Jennifer bent and lightly kissed his scarred cheek.
“I see.” Grinning broadly, the sergeant picked up his cap. He patted Jennifer on the shoulder and kindly added, “I’d have done the same.”
He coughed and became serious once more.
“However, get this straight. You’re to have no more nights without sleep, and no more pills. You were an accident waiting to happen, on those damn things. Your mind had gone. The car wasn’t green and it wasn’t a Mini. No more working day and night for you. Don’t go without sleep, and no more pills.”
“I’ll make certain of that.” Jennifer was very confident.
The officer started to leave the ward when suddenly he stopped, turned and strode back to the bed. Ignoring Jennifer, he resumed his questioning.
“I don’t suppose you’d care to explain the scars on your back. You seem to have been brutally flogged - scars upon scars.”
Oblivious of the look in Peter’s eyes and the grim way he held himself, the officer continued. “You really are a mystery. We contacted Interpol about you and the scars on your back and received messages from Malaysia and Singapore virtually warning us to mind our own business. Seems you’re actually a hero in both countries, but I sure would like to know the story. Even our own security essentially told us to mind our own business. Strange!”
Peter’s grim look and the tightness of his lips told the officer he would get no information from him.
As he left, still perplexed and shaking his head, the officer passed the doctor striding into the ward.
“Is there anything else constable?” The doctor asked as they passed.
“No, thanks. All finished. Look after him, Miss Blake. He’s a menace to himself.” His laughter followed him as he left.
The doctor removed Peter’s charts from the end of the bed and studied them carefully before giving Peter a thorough physical examination. He prodded, pressed and finally scanned Peter’s eyes. He straightened up with a satisfied sigh.
“We had a dying man in this bed. There was not a thing medical science could do to stop the inevitable, and then this young lady arrived and God arrived with her.”
Jennifer introduced herself.
“It isn’t often we can say a miracle occurs in a hospital ward and I’m so pleased I have witnessed this one. To say I’m astounded at your recovery is an understatement. All week we had a dying man on life support. This young lady arrives and we have a man with two broken ribs and a scar. But those ribs will soon mend.”
The doctor was both perplexed and pleased.
“When can I leave?” Peter looked up at Jennifer while he squeezed her hand. “Hospital is for sick people.”
Shaking herself free of Peter’s grip, Jennifer walked with the doctor to the doorway where they whispered together for a few minutes. The doctor shook his head but Jennifer was insistent. Her body had stiffened and Peter knew her eyes were flashing.
“Well, I suppose you’re right. There’s not a thing we can do except observe. Are you sure?” The doctor’s voice grew louder.
Jennifer nodded her head vigorously.
All smiles, the doctor returned to the bedside.
“If you can prove in the morning that you can walk unassisted I’ll discharge you into Miss Blake’s care. You’re not to return to work for at least a month. You’re to have plenty of rest, good food and ample sleep at the correct hours. Miss Blake tells me she will be in charge of you. You are to listen to her and follow her orders. If you feel dizzy, return here straight away.”
He meandered on with some more instructions.
Still shaking his head in disbelief, he concluded, “I suppose as Miss Blake brought about this change in you, she can’t go wrong. We could do nothing but she became Florence Nightingale.”
Still unable to believe the dramatic change in his patient, the doctor left.
A commotion in the corridor gained their attention and the doors swung open. Susie had arrived. She rushed to Jennifer and gave her a huge hug.
“I tried to stay away but I was like a caged lion at the office. Bill drove me back here to see what has been happening.”
She looked across at Peter, her face wreathed in smiles.
“I knew it. I just knew it! You would make him want to live. That great bear loves you so much he won’t let you go, ever.” Susie’s effervescent good humor made them both smile.
Jennifer grinned, “I do believe you’re right. Now, are you going to tell him or shall I?”
Susie looked perplexed.
Laughing, Jennifer didn’t wait for Susie’s answer.
“Peter, did you know that you’re responsible for Susie’s pregnancy. Susie is going to have a baby, thanks to you.”
Peter didn’t flinch as he assumed the face of the inscrutable East. “Well, it’s an immaculate conception, because in no way am I responsible. Susie, tell the truth. How am I responsible?”
The smile on Susie’s face lit the room, and she bent to kiss first Jennifer, then Peter.
“Well, you secured Bill’s employment at the BMW Dealer. That gave me the opportunity to have children - something that up until now has been out of our reach. With Bill in the navy and at sea so often, I wasn’t prepared to rais
e a child by myself so we waited. Now, both Bill and I are so very grateful.”
Jennifer wasn’t the least jealous as she and Susie sat on opposite sides of the bed, holding Peter’s hands as they chatted. She realized how silly her jealousy had been. Peter had eyes only for her and it was soon obvious he didn’t want to share her with Susie.
Susie noticed as well, and almost dragged Jennifer to the door as she was leaving. She took Jennifer’s hands in her own and held them tightly.
“Take damn good care of him. You hold his life in your hands as always.”
A quick kiss on Jennifer’s cheek and she was gone.
Peter didn’t have to tell Jennifer the drive from the hospital to his apartment tired him. She watched him creep from the car to the elevator holding his body stiffly, fighting the pain in his chest.
In the third bedroom, Jennifer dragged the twin beds together.
“A shower will make you feel better. Then, get into bed,” she reassured him.
Gently, she tugged him to the bathroom. “Do you need help?”
Peter was too tired and too sore to make a comment. After showering, he studied his face in the bathroom mirror. He saw the scar running from his left eye past the corner of his mouth. It was an ugly, red, barely healed, crescent moon and made shaving difficult. He didn’t like the scar but he could do nothing about it.
He snarled at the gaunt, battered face staring back from the mirror.
“What’s the matter?” Without bothering to knock, Jennifer rushed in looking anxious.
“This scar looks as though I’ve been in a duel. I must get it removed.”
“You’ll do nothing of the kind. That’s my scar.” Standing on tiptoe Jennifer stretched up to kiss it lightly. “That’s mine. You got that believing you were rescuing me. It stays.”
She put Peter to bed.
That night Jennifer appeared in a pair of her own pajamas and, declining his offer to share his bed, she slipped into the other bed and reached across to hold his hand.
“A girl wouldn’t be safe in your bed,” she smiled knowingly.
During the following days, Peter enjoyed lying back in bed having Jennifer fuss over him. When he felt comfortable sitting, they sat together on the balcony holding hands and watching the comings and goings on the harbor.
All the while, she remained so particular - demanding he eat a little, slowly and often - yet somehow she always knew when he was drowsy and she’d lie beside him until he slept. When he awoke, she was ready with something to tempt his appetite. Peter knew he was getting stronger when he was no longer hungry for anything but her.
Then one morning as he lay in bed, Jennifer, definitely the boss, brought him back to the present.
“Make yourself decent, you have visitors.”
Although it was very early morning, Peter believed he must have been dozing, as he hadn’t heard anyone arrive.
“Come on, sit up!” As Jennifer fluffed the pillows behind his head, she didn’t struggle as Peter grabbed her and rolled her over onto the bed with him.
“That’s unfair!” She smiled up at Peter. “Let me up. I might hurt your ribs.”
“By the look in his eyes you’d better break the rest of his ribs and,” Bob was chuckling, “both his arms.”
As Jennifer struggled to untangle herself from Peter’s arms Bob strolled across to the bed, closely followed by Ted.
Jennifer sat up and pushed her hair back from her face.
“I’ll get us all a drink.”
“Make mine a beer.” Ted was quick to place his order.
“You’ll have an ice cold fruit juice and like it.” Jennifer called back from the kitchen. She was relaxed and comfortable, even with Peter’s two friends.
“Well, well!” Ted examined Peter’s scar. “You don’t do things by halves do you? You go missing for the week and then we get a phone call from Joe. We drive to the hospital where the Sister in charge threw us out. She told us next-of-kin only.
“Of course, we were as welcome as a ham sandwich in a synagogue so all we could do was return home and wait. Next, we get a phone call from your girl here and one from Susie to say you’re home.”
Ted patted Jennifer as she handed him his drink then sat on the bed close to Peter.
Noticing Ted’s attentions did not offend her, Peter caught her quick smile as if to say, ‘Men! They can’t keep their hands to themselves. Don’t worry, I’m yours and they know it.’
“Don’t know what Jennifer’s done to you.” Bob pointedly stared at the twin beds pulled close together. “It must be magic. I must try some myself.”
“Doctor’s orders, Bob.” Peter reached out to tug Jennifer closer. “My medicine is for me only.”
“When are you going back to work?” Good old Ted, the bean counter, was always thinking about profits but Peter was not interested in returning to toil back at the workshop just yet.
“He’s returning to work when I say so!” Jennifer interjected firmly. “Not a minute before. It certainly won’t be earlier than the New Year.”
“But that’s over three months away and the work is pouring in.” Ted’s words died, cut short by the ferocious glare that flashed across Jennifer’s face.
“Peter’s coming home with me.” It was obvious Jennifer wouldn’t argue. “Mum will make certain he’s fit, rested and well fed before he returns to work.”
“Well, Peter, explain what happened.” Ted was anxious to change the topic.
“All I know is that I tried to rescue a woman from a burning car. I was knocked unconscious and woke with my fingers in Jennifer’s hair.”
Jennifer began her story.
“Oh yes, I got a phone call, but I don’t know how she got my number.” As Jennifer continued, Bob just shrugged innocently. “She talked for such a long time. When I hung up, she even rang back.”
“Who for heaven’s sake, who rang back?” Ted was still uncertain.
Grinning, Jennifer patted Peter’s hand.
“My best friend and Peter’s adopted mother, Susie Williams. She ordered me to Peter’s bedside as he was on life support. I thought it was all a conspiracy until I saw him lying there so still and almost lifeless.”
Jennifer smiled broadly. Grinning at Peter she continued, “You were supposed to be in a coma and almost on the point of dying. What rot! You fooled everyone - you were only waiting.”
“How did you reach that conclusion?” Suddenly Bob was interested.
“Well, the moment my lips touched his,” Jennifer reddened from her hair to her finger nails, “this beast flicked his tongue across my lips.” She wasn’t used to putting such ideas into a conversation.
“Oh my God!” Ted rolled his eyes in mock modesty and roared with laughter. “It’s a wonder the filthy beast didn’t try to drag you into his hospital bed. You know he’s an insatiable sex maniac.”
“To be truthful, I think that was his intention but he just slept. I ended up falling asleep with my head on the bed and the nurse had to pry his fingers out of my hair.”
“I wasn’t going to let her go.” Peter grinned at his friends.
“Don’t blame you. You’re a lucky man.” Bob had lost that ‘win some, lose some’ attitude. He sounded almost wistful, as though he recognized their deep feelings for each another.
Listening to the banter between his friends, Peter realized how much he depended on each one. He was enjoying his rest and recuperation.
Suddenly the realization that he may not be at work for the next three months forced Peter to comprehend that he had to make some arrangements with Ted. He knew he could no longer hide behind the façade of being almost an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when it came to business. If he continued his pretence of being weak and unable to gauge people’s motives he would gain nothing and instead, stood to lose a lot. From the depths of his mind came the acceptance that he could no longer conceal his competence.*
The time had arrived to reveal he was stronger in business acumen than his frien
ds suspected. He had to abandon that veneer he had hidden behind.
Grinning at the thought of how he would shock Ted, he looked at his friends.
“Now, everyone out except Ted! I have some business to discuss with him.” Peter was suddenly serious.
As Ted sat on the edge of the bed and the door closed, leaving them alone, the two men discussed the forthcoming bonuses to be paid. Ted was noticeably surprised at the size of the bonuses, especially the generous bonus for Joe.
He was even more astounded when told to pay five thousand dollars to both Bill and Susie as something special in the way of a Christmas present to them both, especially as they would soon be parents.
To alleviate Ted’s concern, systematically and patiently, Peter took him through the full implications of his wealth and his business empire. By the time Peter had completed his explanation, Ted was astounded.
“But I thought you are... “
Quickly Peter interrupted, “You thought what I wanted you to think. However, this little fracas has made me realize I have to allow you into my business affairs. I can no longer put out a smokescreen of weakness and lack of education. You look shocked but there are more revelations to come. Alongside the workshop is the BMW Dealership, which I own.”
Ignoring Ted’s reaction, Peter continued blithely.
“I am the major shareholder in your company and, by some strange co-incidence the major shareholder in the insurance company employing Jennifer.
“In fact I am a billionaire many times over. However, all this news is confidential. I’m sure I can trust your integrity.”
Ted could only stare at Peter and nod.
“Now, thanks to your suggestion, I also own the motel down the road. Between the motel and the BMW Dealership is a Lexus dealership, which hasn’t been doing too well. I had heard the owner wants out, so buy it at the lowest price possible. I want to own all the businesses facing the main road because I have plans - big plans.”
Still in shock, Ted could only wipe his glasses as he stared at Peter.
“As you’ll be paying cash, the price will be especially low. I will be arranging to pay two hundred million into the shop account and you will have authority to spend.”